14: Care Package
"When you said someone gave us a care package, I was expecting it to be from your brother," Langenscheidt said.
"No, this one is from Colonel Hogan," Kielholz replied, setting the large cardboard box on Langenscheidt's bunk. He opened the box, finding a note that read, "Cold and flu season is coming. Langenscheidt will probably need this."
"Oh, very funny," Langenscheidt muttered.
"Well, let's see what's in here." Kielholz pulled out a heavy knit blanket. Taped to it was another note. "This one comes from Carter and his mother. Feel how soft it is."
"Did he ask his mother to make this? He shouldn't have," Langenscheidt said.
"Well, a little too late now." Kielholz set the blanket on Langenscheidt's lap. "What else… socks, earmuffs, and gloves from Newkirk. Tea and gingersnaps from LeBeau. Honey from Kinchloe. Cough syrup and…" Kielholz trailed off when he picked up an enormous jar of vapor rub. On the lid was a note that said, "I know how much Kielholz loves this stuff. – Col. Hogan."
Langenscheidt covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.
"What a cruel man," Kielholz grumbled.
"How exactly did he find out that you hate vapor rub?"
"I suspect somebody—" Kielholz gave Langenscheidt a dirty look, "told him or Carter about it."
"That was months ago, so I don't remember." Langenscheidt grinned a little.
Kielholz continued giving him a look before setting the giant jar back in the box. "Anyway… it was very nice of them to give us all of this, but you would think that they need it more."
"Perhaps we should return the favor and make a care package for them."
"We could get in a lot of trouble."
"Erich, when have you ever cared about getting in trouble?"
"Well—"
"Stealing Klink's tea and cocoa. Stealing Burkhalter's pajamas. Suntanning on the roof of the barracks. Taking all the tissue boxes in camp."
"Fine. You have a point." Kielholz sighed. "Any ideas on what to give Barracks Two?"
"I have vague memories of how to knit from watching my mother."
"My mother taught all of us how to knit and sew so we could make our own clothing. A blanket can't be too difficult. Perhaps I should do that so you don't prick yourself."
"Fair enough. What about the gloves and socks?"
"I was thinking about making multiple blankets. They always complain about the barracks being too cold at night, especially in the wintertime."
"True, but what if Klink finds them?"
"I think they would be hidden during the day. No doubt about that."
"That is also a lot of blankets to make. How are you going to be able to make them, keep them hidden, and acquire all the material for them?"
"Fair point. Maybe I should just make the gloves and socks."
"What about the tea and gingersnaps? And don't say 'ask Tobias to make them.'"
"Where else are we going to get them?"
"I was thinking we do something a little different. I've seen a shop with ginger root in Hammelburg. I can go out and get that."
"Alright. You go get the ginger. I will stay here and make socks."
Several days passed by. Early one evening, Kielholz and Langenscheidt carried a cardboard box packed with knit socks, scarves, ginger root, and some carrots and potatoes swiped from the mess kitchen over to Barracks Two.
"I hope they appreciate this," Langenscheidt said, before knocking.
Carter answered. "Hey, what's this?"
"A present," Kielholz replied. "A thank-you for giving us that care package."
"That was Hogan's idea. You didn't have to do anything in return."
"I insist," Langenscheidt said.
The box was set on the table after the two guards left. Carter went to get Hogan from his room and explained what the box was, and Newkirk said, "Are we sure it's not a trap of some kind?"
"From Kielholz and Langenscheidt?" Kinchloe raised an eyebrow. "I don't think so. Unless you made Kielholz mad in the last week or so, Newkirk?"
"Well, I don't remember if I did anything that got him riled up recently."
For safety's sake, Hogan had his men step back as he opened the box. "No trap. Just a lot of socks." He held up a pair.
"Nice," Carter said. "I've nearly worn mine out. Hey, there's scarves and some jars in here." He picked up a jar of ginger root.
"I wonder who made the socks and scarves," LeBeau said.
"Probably Kielholz," Kinchloe replied. "He's mentioned before that he knows how to knit and sew."
"He actually did a decent job, for a German."
"Yes, he did. Also…" Kinchloe frowned, and held up one of the scarves. "Colonel, do you recognize what these were made out of?"
"As a matter of fact," Hogan replied, "I do."
As if on cue, Colonel Klink barged into the barracks. "Where did all of my spare blankets go, Colonel Hogan?!"
